Two remarkable engineering projects in Buckinghamshire have been shortlisted for the Structural Awards 2015.
The international engineering awards recognise outstanding achievement by structural engineers around the world.
The two projects – an ‘amphibious house’ in Marlow and a swimming pool at Alfriston School in Beaconsfield – will compete for the award with projects from South Africa, Singapore, China and Canada.
Martin Powell, Chief Executive of The Institution of Structural Engineers, said: “This Structural Awards shortlist really showcases the outstanding professionalism and creativity of structural engineers and the profound effect they have in helping to shape our world.”
The first project is the UK’s first amphibious house, which is positioned on an island in the River Thames, and appeared on Channel 4’s Grand Designs.
It is designed to survive flood events by rising up by 2.5 metres, more than enough to cope with extreme flooding. Crucial to its survivability is that it should have a low centre of gravity, which is achieved via a concrete basement weighing around 150 tonnes.
The other project shortlisted is Alfriston School’s new pool and leisure facility. The facility features a remarkable ‘folded’ roof, which creates a dramatic internal landscape and also serves as an acoustic baffle, thus preventing a high reverberation of sound.
It also has a continuous glazing strip which provides panoramic views, while the roof’s exposed timber elements create a visual counterpoint to the woodland nearby.
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